Reports are emerging that Google nearly doubled its lobbying budget to $16.48 million in 2012 in the midst of its antitrust case with the US Federal Trade Commission, as well as an ongoing case in the EU. Google reportedly spent just $9.68 million on lobbying the previous year. According to Google, the money was spent on influencing policy makers in efforts to “preserve Internet freedom” during discussions over an international telecommunications treaty in 2012. Immigration, education, cloud computing and taxes were reportedly other issues lobbied by the search giant.
Featured News
Google Challenges US Order to Share Search Data With Competitors
Oct 26, 2026 by
CPI
Visa, Mastercard Face Potential £5 Billion UK Class Actions Over Card Payment Fees
Oct 26, 2026 by
CPI
NCAA Faces Antitrust Lawsuit Over Division III Scholarship Restrictions
Oct 26, 2026 by
CPI
Google’s Play Store Antitrust Case Heads to South Korea’s Top Court
Oct 26, 2026 by
CPI
Thailand Tightens Payment Rules to Ease Cash Crunch for Small Firms
Oct 26, 2026 by
CPI
Antitrust Mix by CPI
Antitrust Chronicle® – Exclusive Dealing
Oct 25, 2026 by
CPI
Exclusive Dealing Without Exclusivity: Screening Contracts, Loyalty Rebates, and the Limits of Antitrust Tests
Oct 25, 2026 by
David Martimort & Jérôme Pouyet
When Competition for Exclusivity Raises Prices: Rebates, Pricing Rules, and the Insulin Puzzle
Oct 25, 2026 by
Daniel P. O’Brien & Greg Shaffer
Why Leaving the Door Open Can Be (Much) Worse Than Closing It: Share-Based Requirements, Buyer-Specific Costs, and Foreclosure
Oct 25, 2026 by
Zhijun Chen & Greg Shaffer
Antitrust Chronicle® – EU Merger Guidelines
Oct 19, 2026 by
CPI